He: Holdenhas overhauled its flagship luxury car,the Calais V. Priced from $46,990 plus on-roads and loaded with goodies, the V6-powered Calais we’re driving is $9800 cheaper than its predecessor. Its spec and trim levels should have European car makers concerned.

She: Holden have really taken it to the Euros with this car - it exceeded all my expectations and then some. The fact that it drives with the smooth luxe feel of a town car but made it with no dramas right around Australia during Drive's recent 23-day venture is astonishing. And it's the first Holden where I have been really impressed with the interior fitout. Loving those alcantara racing stripes on the seat! How did it handle on the rough tracks Sam?

He: I agree with you 100 per cent on the interior, Sal. The Calais handles rough roads commendably, particularly when you consider the 19-inch wheels. It's a great mix of comfort and performance, which means it's fairly adept in any situation. It's also extremely well-hushed, with minimal road and engine noise. If you were driving open roads more than anything else, the Calais V would be a straight-forward purchase equation. The Calais feels more nimble and agile than before and, with the addition of electric power steering, boasts superior driving dynamics to its predecessor. But how did it fare during your inner city experience?

She: My passengers loved the space, and it is truly the only five seater that gives an iota of comfort to the rear middle seat. It's wide, slightly padded and fits an average Aussie bum. And the front seat is lounge-chair-wide and just as comfy. There wasn't a huge amount of stowage in the rear and, with the advent of snowboards and wide skis a "ski port" has really lost its relevance. I'd like fold down seats but I do appreciate the stiffness achieved by not having them. The long 496-litre boot is a redeeming feature. I guess for my city driving the standout downside for me is the fuel consumption. Did your real road figures match Holden's claims Sam?

He: The claimed fuel consumption figures were fairly spot on, with a combined reading of 9.3L/100km (claimed figure is 9.0L/100km) - though much of that was obviously open road driving. The big, lazy V6 engine might be showing its age amid the new crop of turbocharged, smaller displacement drivetrains, but it still works. I love its no-fuss appeal around town and on long country drives, and the six-speed automatic offers matching flexibility. If only Holden had the funding or foresight (depending on which way you look at it) to offer a diesel drivetrain, because that would surely appease more motorists.

She: At least the Calais V is a true five seater, unlike basically all of its competitors, so if the car is carrying at capacity the fuel figures are reasonable, and I like that claim and reality match. With so many claimed fuel figures diverging markedly from real life, you could argue that the Calais is way closer to its rivals on consumption than it may appear on paper. How did you find all the new technology fitted to this car?

He: I'm a big fan of the new suite of tech gear. The Pandora internet radio system is really useful on big trips - though it can be a bit repetitive in its song choices - and the heads-up display and self-parking functions are fairly clever as well. I also like the fact the safety features on the Calais include six airbags, stability control, lane departure warning and a forward collision warning – adequate for a five-star safety rating. Do you believe these updates are enough to entice buyers back to the Holden stable?

She: Yes Sam, I think the Calais V has the style, the technology and the X-factor that Aussie buyers expect from a big sedan and it just feels so good to buy a premium quality Aussie-made product, doesn’t’ it? It's a standout for value. I just hope Holden can come up with a marketing campaign that convinces the Aussies who default to European cars to give the Calais a try. Everyone I drove around in it was impressed.

He: I can report the same findings. The new Calais V and Commodore range generally has certainly piqued the interest of the Australian public but it remains to be seen whether that will translate to an influx of new buyers. Let's hope so, because with Australian manufacturing at a crossroads, this car has more than just a few quick sale expectations resting on its shoulders.